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The Best Nikon DSLR Camera

Last updated on August 14, 2024
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We looked at the top 5 Nikon DSLR Cameras and dug through the reviews from 47 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Nikon DSLR Cameras.

Best Nikon DSLR Camera

Our Review Process

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Our Picks For The Top Nikon DSLR Cameras

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

Nikon D850 Digital SLR

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Nikon

D850 Digital SLR

This top pick DSLR is a robust full-frame camera. It is popular among professional wedding, landscape, portrait and wildlife photographers. This camera also shoots up to 45.7 megapixels resolution. It has an upgraded 153-point autofocus system, as well as advanced 181,000-pixel RGB metering system and 7 frames per second continuous shooting speed.

Overall Take

Professional Quality PhotosWith an upgraded autofocus and an increased shooting speed, you'll find this Nikon DSLR hard to beat.

Pros
" Thanks to the light-collecting elements being closer to the surface of the sensor, the BSI design should deliver better low-light performance than previous sensors."
Cons
"While the D850 shoots like nothing else under available light, you still need flash for artistic reasons for daylight and other fill-flash to lighten faces and put catchlights in people's eyes."
 Also Great

Nikon D7200 Digital SLR

Nikon

D7200 Digital SLR

This DSLR is an excellent intermediate choice for enhancing your photography. It features a 51-point autofocus system and a native sensitivity range of ISO100-25,600. It also has built-in WiFi with NFC. That means you can use Nikon's Snapbridge app to pair your smart device with the camera and transfer photos wirelessly.

Overall Take

Built-In WiFiQuickly and painlessly transfer photos from your Nikon DSLR to your smartphone using the handy Snapbridge app.

Pros
" The D7200 is better weather-sealed than the D7000, but seeing as my D7000 has lasted 200K+ shots and I usually shoot in very dusty outdoor locales, build quality wasn’t an issue there. At 674 grams (23.9 ounces) the D7200 is..."
Cons
"Movie focusing can be slow and screen is not touch-sensitive. Also, Hi BW1 and Hi BW2 expansion settings are only available in JPEG mode, and produce monochrome images."
 Also Consider

Nikon D5500 Digital SLR

Nikon

D5500 Digital SLR

This lightweight DSLR is easy to use. It offers excellent performance for a good value. Its 24 Megapixel APSC sensor allows it to take sharp, clear photos, even in low light. Plus, the updated design includes a comfortable, deeper grip.

Overall Take

Lightweight and AffordableWith a budget-friendly price tag, this basic yet reliable Nikon DSLR won't break the bank.

Pros
" Excellent touch screen makes navigating menus and setting camera modes easy. Easy to use, but offers lots of features to explore. Lightweight but rugged, and takes sharp, clean photos even in very low light."
Cons
"However, Nikon has actually cut out the other connectivity staple, GPS. The Nikon D5300 has GPS, but this more expensive model doesn’t. Disappointing? Yes, especially as the GP-1A GPS module accessory costs £189"
 Best Value

Nikon D3400 Digital SLR

Nikon

D3400 Digital SLR

This DSLR offers the ideal level of image quality, speed and price for beginners. It's fast enough to capture quick-moving kids and pets clearly. Plus, it has a solid autofocus, high ISO performance and a guide mode that makes it easy to use.

Overall Take

Best for BeginnersBeginners can take advantage of this Nikon DSLR's guide mode to learn how to take the most breathtaking photos.

Pros
" Easy to use lightweight, versatile, and takes beautiful, high quality pictures. Overall, a solid camera with a good battery life."
Cons
"The rear LCD is a crisp 920k-dot 3-inch panel. It's bright enough to view in daylight, and shows excellent detail. But it can't tilt, and it doesn't support touch input. Fixed, non-touch LCD. Pentamirror viewfinder. Limited buffer when shooting Raw...."

Buying Guide

It wasn’t too long ago that powerful cameras were prohibitively expensive and limited to professionals. The times and technology have certainly changed. Now, families tote DSLR cameras around on trips to the playground, and many consider them a travel necessity.

It makes sense, as companies like Nikon have honed professional-level technology so that beginners and aspiring photographers alike can take stunning photographs every day. Having a high-quality camera, like a Nikon DSLR, will make a significant difference in the photos that you take, no matter how incredible you might think the built-in camera on your phone is.

Think you can’t afford a digital camera? Think again. Even if you’re working within a budget, you can still take advantage of this top-notch technology, says Jay Soriano, a portrait photographer based in Las Vegas.

“If the budget is a bit smaller, go a generation older or the next model down,” Soriano suggests.

You’ll also want to factor in the intended use of your new camera, he says. Will you be focusing mostly on still photography, or is video important to you too?
DSLR cameras were made to capture impressive scenes, minute details and everything in between. DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex camera and was designed to mimic its predecessor, the single-lens reflex film camera. As such, the DSLR cameras have similar design features. The camera body is equipped with a viewfinder and a reflex mirror and connects with an interchangeable-lens system.

DSLR cameras come in a wide range of prices and features. If you want to take the most beautiful photographs, they are unparalleled in image-capturing technology. They boast the highest image quality, speed and user-friendly design. Similarly, they can match basically any type of photography you can dream up. A DSLR camera is generally the first step toward serious photography for many people. While there are reasonably priced models, any DSLR camera purchase will be an investment. As such, it’s important to understand the DSLR cameras available so you can select one that best fits your personal needs.

Nikon DSLRs are among the wide array of digital cameras available on the market today. Canon and Sony are competitive camera manufacturers. There are models suitable for beginners, professional photographers and everyone in between. DSLRs are the leading camera technology available today, and Nikon is often the camera of choice for professional photographers.

Unlike basic digital cameras, when buying a DSLR camera, you’ll likely purchase at least two parts. These two main components are the body and the lens. Generally, these pieces are sold separately, and there are specific lens options for each camera body. For beginners, you can purchase a kit that includes the body and one or more lenses as a package. Generally, these lenses are lower performance than those sold individually. The DSLR camera body contains a mirror that reflects the light onto an optical viewfinder that displays the image viewed through the lens.

It is with various lenses, not camera bodies, that you will notice the biggest difference in photos and capabilities. As such, one of the most important characteristics to think about is the system of lenses compatible with each camera body. While you may begin with one or two lenses, you will likely invest in more over time as your photography grows. Each camera body connects with a different system of lenses.

Even though Nikon is well-known as a top camera choice for professional photographers, there are plenty of beginner-friendly Nikon DSLR cameras too. These cameras, like the Nikon D3400 and D5500, are especially appealing because they have reasonable starting price points. They also have helpful automatic photography settings. That means you will have high image quality but less control over the camera settings. As such, these are aimed at beginners and could be frustrating for more advanced photographers. Armed with a variety of preset effects, you can rely on these and gradually learn how to handle a DSLR camera.

The value pick, the Nikon D3400, is an excellent first DSLR camera for beginners. It delivers solid image quality and shutter speed for its class at a good value. That means it is fast enough to capture kids and pets. For a step up in performance without a significant price increase, the D5500 offers upgrades across the board. This camera is one of the lightest Nikon DSLR cameras and features a more comfortable grip.

If you’re familiar with photography and want a bit more control and range in a Nikon DSLR, you may be ready for a higher priced and higher performance intermediate category camera. There are many intermediate options for aspiring photographers as well as professionals. If you’re looking for innovative technology, this is an exciting category.

For example, the Nikon D7200 offers upgraded features, such as the 51-point autofocus system and native range of ISO100-25,600.

The top pick Nikon D850 DSLR camera boasts many impressive features. It shoots up to 45.7 megapixels resolution, one of the highest resolutions on the market today. It also has an upgraded 153-point autofocus system, advanced 181,000-pixel RGB metering system and 7 frames per second continuous shooting speed. By design, this camera outperforms others in low-light. Overall, it’s a powerful, professional camera that commands an equivalent price tag.

Within Nikon’s range of DSLRs, there’s a camera and a price point that’s perfect for every photography skill level. As the company innovates, the cameras are constantly improving, boasting more features and improved image quality at ever more reasonable prices.

Our Expert Consultant

Jay Soriano   
Portrait photographer

Jay Soriano a headshot and portrait photographer in Las Vegas.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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We identified the majority of the nikon dslr cameras available to purchase.
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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Trusted Reviews, Gadget Review, DP Review, Tech Radar.

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Our experts reviewed the top 5 Nikon DSLR Cameras and also dug through the reviews from 47 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Nikon DSLR Cameras.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Nikon D3400 Digital SLR

Key Takeawy

This DSLR offers the ideal level of image quality, speed and price for beginners. It's fast enough to capture quick-moving kids and pets clearly. Plus, it has a solid autofocus, high ISO performance and a guide mode that makes it easy to use.

What other experts liked

Easy to use lightweight, versatile, and takes beautiful, high quality pictures. Overall, a solid camera with a good battery life.
- BestReviews
It's a strong performer, as it's built around an excellent 24MP image sensor and includes an 11-point autofocus system that tracks subjects at 5.1fps. Compact. 24MP image sensor. Includes lens. Solid autofocus and high ISO performance. 5.1fps continuous shooting. Guide Mode for beginners. Bluetooth wireless file transfer.
- PC Magazine
November 10, 2016 | Full review
The Nikon D3400 has Bluetooth connectivity, which means you can send your images across to a smartphone using Nikon's Snapbridge app. This app is now available for both iOS and Android devices, as of September 2016. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), SnapBridge creates a connection between the D3400 and a...
- Photography Blog
October 11, 2016 | Full review
The camera’s burst speed of 5 frames per second is enough to handle a lot of fast-paced situations.
- Popular Photography
February 1, 2017 | Full review
This is one of the lightest DSLRs you can buy: it’s about 40g less than a Canon EOS 1300D with an 18-55mm lens. Ready to go with the kit lens on it comes in at a respectably low 650g, which you’ll appreciate during long shooting sessions.
Very compact and lightweight body. Easy to use and superb battery life. Good single-shot AF performance. Easy to use. Very compact and quiet kit lens.
- Tech Radar
October 22, 2018 | Full review
It is very compact and has lightweight body. Good single-shot AF performance. Superb battery life.
- Tech Spot
Great image quality. Speedy Performance. Excellent Battery Life. Good in Low Light. Easy transfer of images to mobile devices. Solid set of practical and creative features.
- Tom's Guide
November 18, 2016 | Full review
This camera has long battery life and very easy to use.
- Trusted Reviews
August 30, 2018 | Full review
The gateway to Nikon’s DSLR lineup, the D3400 takes great photos in low light and is easy to carry around.
- New York Times Wirecutter
December 18, 2018 | Full review

What other experts didn't like

The wireless SnapBridge feature that transfers images to phones is not always reliable. Not worth the extra cost for unreliable wireless features.
- BestReviews
The rear LCD is a crisp 920k-dot 3-inch panel. It's bright enough to view in daylight, and shows excellent detail. But it can't tilt, and it doesn't support touch input. Fixed, non-touch LCD. Pentamirror viewfinder. Limited buffer when shooting Raw. Omits microphone input. Video autofocus not as advanced as some...
- PC Magazine
November 10, 2016 | Full review
Note that because the D3400 does not support Wi-Fi, not all SnapBridge features are available.
- Photography Blog
October 11, 2016 | Full review
The D3400’s range is limited by its resolution. Also, it doesn’t have lots of dedicated control buttons, leaving limited opportunity for customization
- Popular Photography
February 1, 2017 | Full review
It’s not a great action camera – it only shoots bursts up to 5fps and it doesn’t do 4K video either
No touchscreen, no microphone port and has poor connectivity option.
- Tech Radar
October 22, 2018 | Full review
The LCD screen lacks touch operation and is somewhat reflective. Poor connectivity options.
- Tech Spot
The only downside is that the viewfinder covers only about 95 percent of what the camera will actually capture in a shot, so don't be surprised to see areas of the scene you didn't notice through the viewfinder.
- Tom's Guide
November 18, 2016 | Full review
Fixed non-touch-sensitive screen. No Wi-Fi, 4K video and optical viewfinder doesn't offer 100% coverage.
- Trusted Reviews
August 30, 2018 | Full review
The D3400’s biggest flaw is that Nikon reduced the power of this model’s flash by half in order to achieve the camera’s impressive battery-life rating of 1,200 shots on a single charge (a weaker flash means less draw on the battery).
- New York Times Wirecutter
December 18, 2018 | Full review

What to Look For

  • Entry-level DSLR cameras generally incorporate an APS-C-sized sensor and polycarbonate construction. These two components help make them compact and lightweight. However, those new to DSLRs will notice they are heavier and more unwieldy than standard point and shoot.
  • Beginners should look for features like guide modes when buying their first DSLR. These entry-level DSLR cameras help teach new photographers about the controls and settings with the ultimate goal of understanding exactly how to produce specific types of imagery in mind.
  • DSLR cameras tend to have superb battery life because the optical viewfinder uses minimal power. Depending on the length of time you’re shooting, DSLR cameras can take thousands of photos on a single battery charge
  • DSLR cameras can range greatly in price. Nikon DSLR prices tend to be a bit higher than competitors because each level of camera includes enhanced performance features.
  • Be careful when changing lenses to not touch the mirror or sensor or get dust on the inner components. If anything does get on the sensor, some cameras include an auto-clean mode, or you can use specialty cloths to clean.
  • Some DSLRs have more rugged weather sealing. However, most require a separate housing to be waterproof and weatherproof. You should be careful in adverse weather conditions or wet or dusty areas to protect the sensitive camera.

This review has been updated by DWYM staff.

More to Explore

Digital cameras seem like they’re everywhere these days. Before Steve Sasson at Eastman Kodak built the very first digital camera, there weren’t any hanging from tourists necks. The first digital camera was very low quality, at only .01 megapixel and weighing eight pounds.

Nikon’s first DSLR camera debuted in 1999 with the D1. It was the beginning of multiple generations of constantly improving DSLR cameras. Now, Nikon has progressed into the D7000s, as well as offering Z series mirrorless and full-frame DSLR options.

Today’s most impressive DSLR cameras, like the Nikon D850, can capture images with as many as 45.7 megapixels. These files can be blown up to 20-inch by 30-inch poster size and maintain a crisp, clear image.

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